Study to determine risks of quarantine pests
Mich. Floriculture Growers Council has partnered with Mich. St. Univ., MSU Product Center and Mich. Dept. of Ag. to investigate potential risks of quarantine pests and diseases in the floriculture industry. The project, led by MFGC board member Erik Runkle, was recently selected for a $30,000 grant from Project GREEEN. Western Mich. Greenhouse Assoc. and Metro Detroit Flower Growers Assoc. are also funding the project. During analysis development, input will be solicited from industry leaders, plant science researchers and state and national regulators. The analysis will assist the industry in establishing a systematic approach for understanding and exploring risks associated with pests. The study will be completed in early 2009. The long-term goal is to develop tailored procedures for supply chain participants to meet specific arrangements and requirements to manage and mitigate pest risks.
Deadline for sustainable committee applications this week
May 23 is the deadline to submit applications to participate on the standards committee that will develop an American Nat'l. Standard for sustainable ag. Since a Feb. 29 stakeholder meeting in Arlington, Va., Leonardo Academy has received numerous applications to participate on the standards committee and advisory subcommittees. The Sustainable Ag. Practice Standard is being developed in response to rising interest in practicing, defining, standardizing and certifying sustainable ag.
Fafard to build peat processing plant
FPM Peat Moss Co. Ltd., a Canadian subsidiary of Conrad Fafard Inc., will build a peat processing and mix facility in Manitoba. The new plant will allow Fafard to better serve markets in the central and western U.S. Construction will begin this month on the 32,000-sq.-ft. facility, which is expected to open in November. The facility will manufacture packaged peat moss and peat-based professional mixes and potting soils, and employ 5 full-time and 30 seasonal workers.
SAF to manage American Floral Endowment
American Floral Endowment trustees selected Society of American Florists as the Endowment's new management team. AFE's office has been located at Hortica Insurance in Edwardsville, Ill., since 2004. The decision to move to SAF was made at the end of a 4-month process during which the AFE board evaluated several management proposals. AFE will relocate to the SAF building in Alexandria, Va., in July. Debi Aker, a former 9-year employee of SAF, will return to manage AFE's day-to-day operations. AFE is a not-for-profit, non-governmental source for floricultural/environmental hort. research and development funding. Over the past 47 years AFE has distributed more than $13 million in funding.
United Online buys FTD for $800 million
United Online Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a provider of consumer Internet and media services, purchased FTD Group Inc. (NYSE:FTD) for $800 million. United Online's brands include Classmates.com, NetZero, Juno and Mypoints.com. The acquisition allows the online giant to "cross-market FTD products to United Online's more than 50 million registered accounts," said Mark R. Goldston, CEO of United Online, headquartered in Woodland Hills, Calif. FTD will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary from its Downers Grove., Ill., headquarters.
Griffin acquires Progress Grower Supply
Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies, headquartered in Tewksbury, Mass., expanded services into the southeastern U.S. with the acquisition of Progress Growers Supply Co., a 35-year-old distribution company in Ball, Ga. The Progress staff will continue to operate the facility. William Hotz will manage this location. Earlier this year, Griffin along with BFG Supply Co., headquartered in Burton, Ohio, and BWI Co. headquartered in Nash, Texas, formed a hort. distribution alliance called the Integrated Hort. Alliance.
Discovering the world of sustainability
Kelli Rodda introduces your new market segment: scuppies. Hint: they're basically green yuppies. Project: Green Industry
Worth a visit
Learn control measures to what experts have identified as the most unwanted pests in the industry. Only on GreenBeamPro.com.
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